During high school, Rainey lived with the Pittsburgh Steelers center and his twin brother Mike, who plays center for the Dolphins.

The three all moved to Gainesville and played together at Florida. Rainey is reunited once again with Maurkice as he was selected by Pittsburgh on Saturday with the No. 159 overall pick in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.

At the Pounceys’ house in Lakeland, Rainey watched player after player get selected, including former teammate Jaye Howard at No. 114, before finally hearing his name called.

“I always watch it with him (Maurkice),” Rainey said in a teleconference with Pittsburgh reporters. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. This is my dream team. . . . They are Super Bowl contenders, they win games, and they are good in every phase of the game, special teams, defense, offense, everything.”

Rainey racked up 2,464 rushing yards with a 6.22 average and 13 touchdowns in 52 games as a Gator, but he has said he wants to also play a role as a pass-catcher at the next level.

He caught 69 passes for 795 yards and six touchdowns in college, including an 83-yard reception on a catch-and-run against Tennessee last season.

“I can play running back. I can play slot (receiver). I can play special teams,” Rainey said. “Wherever they want me, because I’m a playmaker all around.”

Rainey also set the Southeastern Conference and Florida record for blocked punts with six, and he averaged 9.04 on punt returns and 25.22 on kickoff returns.

Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley referred to Rainey as a situational player on offense.

“It might be third down, it might be by package, you might see him as a receiver or as a running back, but you’ll see him do a little bit of everything,” Haley said. “Obviously, as we get to know him a little better we’ll be able to iron it out to exactly what his role will be. We’re excited about getting an explosive, fast player with some of those skills in the building.”

Rainey said he felt he slipped somewhat because of a reputation for off-field issues, including the infamous texting incident during the 2010 season which resulted in a charge for felony stalking. The charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor, but the damage was done.

“I became a better man. I matured,” Rainey said. “I learned a lesson not to do that ever again. It’s something I know that I won’t ever do again. I didn’t even know that you could get in trouble over a text. Plus, I wouldn’t harm a fly.”

Howard, Florida’s only other pick in the 2012 draft, will be heading to Seattle as the only former Gator on the roster. But UF defensive coordinator Dan Quinn held the same position with the Seahawks before coming to Gainesville to join coach Will Muschamp before last season.

Howard, 6-3 and 301 pounds, started 25 games in college and had 65 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks last season, his best as a Gator. The Seahawks said playing under Quinn helped their evaluation, leading to a selection higher than some analysts had projected.

Howard is the ninth player from Florida to be drafted by Seattle and the first since 2000, when wide receiver Darrell Jackson went to the Seahawks in the third round.

Former Florida quarterback John Brantley and wide receiver Deonte Thompson were not selected in the draft and will have the option to sign as undrafted free agents.